2017 Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail

The Worldwide Voyage continues as Hōkūleʻa, Hikianalia and the crew of Polynesian Voyaging Society visit community ports around Hawai’i to celebrate Hōkūleʻa’s homecoming.

On August 16, 2017, voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia departed the Marine Education Training Center (METC) at Sand Island to begin the Mahalo, Hawai’i Sail. The sail includes approximately 40 ports where crewmembers will connect with nearly 80 communities throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

The Mahalo, Hawai’i Sail will give Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) an opportunity to thank Hawaiʻi’s people, bring Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia home to all of Hawaiʻi, share lessons learned from the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage and deepen the organization’s connection and understanding of the important work being done here in the islands to care for the earth. During the port visits, PVS will engage with schools and organizations through outreach events, service projects, crew presentations and canoe tours.

“As we sailed Hōkūleʻa far from home, our home communities continued the efforts that fueled and inspired the Worldwide Voyage, “ said Nainoa Thompson, PVS President and Pwo navigator. “Not only did they give us the best of their communities to sail on the deck of our canoes, they also continued the work to bring Hawaiʻi to the global forefront of educational transformation, environmental stewardship and cultural revitalization. We need to share, celebrate, elevate and mahalo their successes – this is what the Mahalo Hawaiʻi, Sail is about.”